Saturday, November 8, 2025
Grocery prices in the United States have reached their highest level in three years, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting increases of roughly 2 to 3 percent over the past year.
Rising costs for essentials such as meat, produce and dairy are putting pressure on household budgets. At the same time, a partial federal government shutdown threatens programs that support low-income families, raising concerns about food security nationwide and on Long Island.
At the Valley Stream Long Island Cares facility, Nicole Rojas, Community Center program coordinator, says the rise in grocery prices has created new challenges for the pantry’s mission to feed those who are struggling. While the pantry continues to receive steady donations, some regular contributors have not been able to give as much, reflecting the financial pressures faced by working-class families. This has made it increasingly difficult for the pantry to maintain sufficient inventory to meet the growing demand.
“My biggest concern is not being able to provide enough food for the community,” Rojas said. “Basically, we rely on those donations, we rely on the federal funding, and it would be just a travesty if we can’t feed the community around us.”
Rojas noted that more residents are turning to the pantry for help, as job losses and financial strain make it harder for families to afford food. To navigate these challenges, the Valley Stream pantry has organized additional food drives and encouraged financial contributions, while relying on support from local businesses and organizations.
Federal programs that supplement pantry resources, such as the Emergency Food Assistance Program, the Household Hunger Prevention and the Nutrition Assistance Program, are also a concern. They provide emergency food and nutritional assistance to low-income families and individuals, and coordinators fear that a continuing government shutdown could disrupt funding, making it more difficult to meet the community’s needs.
“If we could all come together as one community, we could assist in the fight to feed individuals and families in need,” Rojas said. “That’s my main concern — us fighting together like a team.”
In Freeport, Reyna Felix, program center coordinator at Long Island Cares’ Nassau Center for Collaborative Assistance, says the rising cost of food and the shutdown have put similar pressure on their pantry. The Freeport location has adjusted its operations, and is closed on Thursdays to allow staff to restock. Donations are consumed quickly, with food often moving from delivery to distribution in a single day. Many clients now visit the pantry first before shopping at supermarkets, in order to stretch their budgets to cover bills and household expenses.
“It’s a lot of movement, with the food coming in the same time it goes,” Felix said. “I have a lot of people who donate from their pockets. They decide to go to the supermarket, they get what they can get for themselves and the rest they donate to us. It’s something very helpful, but at the same time it goes out quickly, so we’re doing our mission and vision, but it’s been a challenge, because we’re not always fully stocked, and we cannot serve families with the same quality.”
The demographics of pantry clients, Felix said, have shifted slightly. While some Spanish-speaking families have returned less frequently due to immigration-related issues, working families and seniors who are still employed but struggling financially are increasingly relying on pantry services. Coordinators say that maintaining adequate stock and providing consistent quality food is a daily challenge, especially as the quantity of donations from the community has declined, even though the number of donors remains steady.
Both coordinators stress that community support is crucial, and that residents can help by donating food, money or time. Volunteers are also encouraged to sign up online, with opportunities available at pantry locations and the organization’s warehouse.
The combination of rising grocery prices and potential disruptions of federal programs highlights the importance of local food pantries as safety nets. In Valley Stream, Rojas emphasizes that coordinated community efforts, from schools and businesses to individual donors, can help ensure that residents facing hunger continue to receive support. Felix echoes that sentiment in Freeport, noting that while the challenge is significant, community involvement allows the pantry to continue serving families with dignity.
As the holiday season approaches, pantries are preparing for sustained demand. Rising costs, reduced donations and uncertainty over federal funding highlight the ongoing need for community contributions. The coordinators say they hope that with continued local support, Long Island Cares can maintain services and prevent food insecurity from worsening across the region.
